1914 Election Cycle

Governor Adolph Eberhart lost the Republican primary to banker and former state legislator William Lee. All other incumbents running for reelection to statewide office were renominated.

In the general election, four-term Congressman Winfield Hammond flipped the Governor’s seat to the Democrats with a 3.7-point win over Lee. The Democratic hold on the seat would be short-lived, however as Hammond died less than a year into his term. Republican incumbents winning reelection – all by double-digits – were Lieutenant Governor J.A.A. Burnquist (who succeeded Hammond in December 1915), Secretary of State Julius Schmahl (to a record fifth term), Attorney General Lyndon Smith, Treasurer Walter Smith, Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner Ole P.B. Jacobson, and Clerk of the Supreme Court Irving Caswell (who ran unopposed). J.A.O. Preus, the GOP nominee for Auditor, was also elected.

All U.S. Representatives running for reelection were renominated but one was unseated in the general election: nine-term Congressman Frederick Stevens of the 4th CD (Ramsey County), who lost by 19.3 points to Democrat Carl Van Dyke. Progressives also won the newly created 10th CD with nominee Thomas Schall.

This was the first cycle in which nominees for the state legislature would be designated without party affiliation. Nonpartisan elections for the two legislative chambers would continue through the 1972 cycle.

Appointed Associate Justice George Bunn was elected to the Supreme Court.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/03/1914 State House, District 28 General Ambrose Leo (A.L.) Lennon (Nonpartisan) won with 2,051 votes (32.20%) and a winning margin of +6.25
Richard Dunleavy (Nonpartisan) won with 1,764 votes (27.69%) and a winning margin of +1.74
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Ambrose Leo (A.L.) Lennon Man Nonpartisan 2,051 32.20
Richard Dunleavy Man Nonpartisan 1,764 27.69
Patrick F. (P.F.) Herbert Man Nonpartisan 1,653 25.95
William H. Thielen Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 902 14.16

Herbert was a resident of Minneapolis and former Democratic state Representative (HD 38, 1901-1903, 1905-1907).

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11/03/1914 State House, District 27 General August Hafften (Nonpartisan) won with 2,246 votes (31.16%) and a winning margin of +9.52
James E. (J.E.) Madigan (Nonpartisan) won with 2,175 votes (30.17%) and a winning margin of +8.53
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
August Hafften Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 2,246 31.16
James E. (J.E.) Madigan Man Nonpartisan 2,175 30.17
Emil H. Ek Man Nonpartisan 1,560 21.64
Emil W. Rettke Man Nonpartisan 1,227 17.02
11/03/1914 State House, District 26 General Magnus Johnson (Nonpartisan) won with 1,836 votes (55.40%) and a winning margin of +10.80
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Magnus Johnson Man Nonpartisan 1,836 55.40
Louis (L.O.) Westman Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 1,478 44.60
11/03/1914 State House, District 25 General Knute Knutson (Nonpartisan) won with 1,553 votes (59.18%) and a winning margin of +18.37
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Knute Knutson Man Nonpartisan 1,553 59.18
P.W. Bresnahan Man Nonpartisan 1,071 40.82

Knutson was a farmer from Swift Falls and former Republican state Representative (HD 56, 1907-1909; 1911-1913).

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11/03/1914 State Senate, District 54 General Fred D. Vibert (Nonpartisan) won with 2,594 votes (61.84%) and a winning margin of +23.67
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Fred D. Vibert Man Nonpartisan 2,594 61.84
Charles D. Viebahn Man Nonpartisan 1,601 38.16